Alpine skiing is a sport and recreational physical activity which requires fine postural control to maintain balance in challenging conditions. Theoretically, balance dominates in alpine skiing, but coordinated action of the whole body of the skiers is equally important. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of experimental short-term program of intensive training of alpine skiing techniques to postural stability (on Biodex Balance System) of students. The sample is divided into an experimental (31 students, age 21.4±1.0 and body height 180.7±6.3 cm) and control group (34 students, age 20.6±0.8 and body height 180.3±6.8 cm). The results of ANCOVA within variables for the evaluation of postural stability show statistically significant effects of the applying experimental program in all applied variables at the level of significance p=.000. From the mean value results (M) it is obvious that the experimental group achieved better results compared to the identical tests applied to the control group. The results of this research show that learning to ski can improve the ability to maintain balance, especially if it is conducted under the expert supervision of a ski instructor, which can have the effect of reducing the risk of injury.

Physical activity is important for the physical and mental health of almost everyone. Nordic walking is a physical activity in which participants use specially designed poles while walking, while the term jogging implies light running at speeds less than 10 km/h. PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to monitor the load intensity in real conditions, using a heart rate monitor Team Polar System, during nordic walking and jogging and comparing possible differences in heart rate responses after the fifth minute of activity, at an average speed of 7.5km/h. METHODS: The assessment of heart rate responses for this research was conducted on the 30 male students, at 2 separate days. RESULTS: The results of the variables used in this study show statistically significant differences at the level of significance p=.000. From the mean value results (M) it is obvious that the respondents achieved higher results of heart rate responses during nordic walking compared to the identical tests applied during jogging. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that both Nordic walking and jogging are beneficial but Nordic walking contributes more in achieving higher body loads resulting in increased oxygen consumption and thus calories Key words: load intensity, heart rate, nordic walking, jogging

Background: It is crucial to evaluate children’s motor coordination and strength to identify possible motor deficits on the right or left side of the body. However, whether a distinction exists in children aged 3–6 must be clarified. The goal of the current research was to investigate the differences in motor skills between preschool boys and girls, dominant and non-dominant hands or legs, in children of preschool age. (2) Methods: The present study was conducted on a sample of children (boys, n = 52; girls, n = 52; age range, 3–6 years). Three motor tests evaluated on both sides of the body served as the sample of factors used to measure athletic performance. Leg tapping (15 s), hand tapping (15 s), and a maximal hand grip strength (HGS) test kg. (3) Results: The study’s findings show no statistically significant variations in preschool boys’ and girls’ motor skills. Preschool girls had better results in the right leg tapping than preschool boys t (98) = 2.08; p ≤ 0.04. We found a significant difference between genders aged 3–4, 4–5, and 5–6 years. No correlation was found between the girls’ three variables and age. A small but significant positive correlation was found between dominant hand tapping and age r2 (52) = 0.21; p ≤ 0.01, dominant leg tapping and age r2 (52) = 0.20; p ≤ 0.01 and dominant HGS and age r2 (52) = 0.17; p ≤ 0.01. No noticeable differences were identified when comparing the dominant side with the non-dominant side in each group. The results show that most children prefer to use their right hand and right leg as their dominant sides. (4) Conclusion: The authors of this study focus on the functional (frequency of movements) and dynamic (differences in muscle strength between body sides) elements of asymmetry. Future studies should examine the influence of morphology on performance with the dominant or non-dominant body side.

The main aim of this study was to determine the correlation of motor knowledge of acrobatic elements with successful performance of parallel turns in alpine skiing. An additional aim was to determine whether there is a difference between groups divided on the basis of knowledge of alpine skiing. The research was conducted on a sample of 27 students enrolled in the third year of study at the Faculty of Sport, by the chronological age of 21-23 years. The sample of variables consisted of 14 variables to assess knowledge of acrobatic elements and one variable to assess the performance of the ski element parallel turns. The results indicate a statistically significant correlation between some acrobatic elements (e.g. with roll forward r= .438) with performance of parallel turns at the level of significance (p<0.05). Students, who have acquired the technique of acrobatic elements on the higher level or on the level of stabilization and automation with minor mistakes, achieve better results when learning the element of skiing technique – parallel turns. Based on the analysis of results we can conclude that some elements of acrobatics and skiing can interconnect according to the requirements for the motor abilities required for successful performance of acrobatic elements and we can say that the learning of acrobatic elements on higher level have a positive influence on the learning of element of alpine ski technique.